A case report of granulomatous polyangiitis complicated by tuberculous lymphadenitis.

Rational: Granulomatous polyangiitis (GPA) is a type of vasculitis involving medium and small arteries, typically affecting the upper and lower respiratory tract with coexisting glomerulonephritis. GPA is also characterized by necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA). So far, various infections have lead to elevation of titers of serum ANCA, making it difficult to diagnose.

Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo in Japan.

Vitiligo is an acquired pigment disorder in which depigmented macules result from the loss of melanocytes from the involved regions of skin and hair. The color dissimilarity on the cosmetically sensitive regions frequently induces quality of life impairment and high willingness to pay for treatment in patients with vitiligo. The Vitiligo Japanese Task Force was organized to overcome this situation and to cooperate with the Vitiligo Global Issues Consensus Conference.

Familial cases of atypical clinical features genetically diagnosed as LEOPARD syndrome (multiple lentigines syndrome).

Five familial cases exhibited ephelides-like multiple lentigines, and we examined three of them, a mother and two sons. All three patients presented with small dark-brown maculae on the face and neck and electrocardiographic abnormalities. These findings sufficed to fulfill the criteria for LEOPARD syndrome (multiple lentigines syndrome), although they lacked five of seven major clinical features.

A case of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin (LELCS) is a rare cutaneous neoplasm with histopathologic similarities to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The association of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is well documented. EBV has also been reported to be associated with LELC in only four sites (the stomach, salivary glands, lung, and thymus), but not in the skin.

Improving chemotherapeutic drug penetration in melanoma by imatinib mesylate.

Background: Imatinib mesylate has specific activity in inhibiting select tyrosine kinase receptors, including platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) and c-kit. In general, melanomas widely express PDGFR and c-kit, and their in vivo resistance to chemotherapy is attributable to high tumor interstitial fluid pressure (IFP). Recent studies have suggested that PDGFR-beta inhibition reduces tumor IFP, and thus increases the uptake of concomitantly administered drugs.

Correlation between SPINK5 gene mutations and clinical manifestations in Netherton syndrome patients.

Netherton syndrome (NS) is a congenital ichthyosiform dermatosis caused by serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 5 (SPINK5) mutations. Tissue kallikreins (KLKs) and lymphoepithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) (SPINK5 product) may contribute to the balance of serine proteases/inhibitors in skin and influence skin barrier function and desquamation. SPINK5 mutations, causing NS, lead to truncated LEKTI; each NS patient possesses LEKTI of a different length, depending on the location of mutations.

Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to metastatic angiosarcoma of the scalp: report of a case.

Angiosarcoma is a highly malignant neoplasm, which most often develops on the scalp or face of elderly people. Common distant metastatic sites include the lung, liver, lymph nodes, and skin. We report a case of angiosarcoma manifesting as simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to pulmonary metastases in an 86-year-old man.

Mechanisms underlying the dysfunction of melanocytes in vitiligo epidermis: role of SCF/KIT protein interactions and the downstream effector, MITF-M.

Little is known about the mechanisms involved in the dysfunction of melanocytes in vitiligo epidermis. It is hypothesized that some cytokine/receptor interactions may be affected, resulting in dysfunction and/or loss of melanocytes. This study has compared the expression of endothelin (ET)-1, the ET-1 receptor (ET(B)R), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), stem cell factor (SCF), the SCF receptor (KIT protein), tyrosinase, and S100 alpha between lesional and non-lesional vitiligo epidermis.

Combined therapy using Q-switched ruby laser and bleaching treatment with tretinoin and hydroquinone for acquired dermal melanocytosis.

Background And Objective: Acquired dermal melanocytosis (ADM; acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules) is known for its recalcitrance compared with Nevus of Ota, and we assume that one of the reasons is a higher rate and degree of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) seen after laser treatments.

Methods: Topical bleaching treatment with 0.1% tretinoin aqueous gel and 5% hydroquinone ointment containing 7% lactic acid was initially performed (4 to 6 weeks) to discharge epidermal melanin.

Approaches to repigmentation of vitiligo skin: new treatment with ultrasonic abrasion, seed-grafting and psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy.

Vitiligo vulgaris is a common disease throughout the world although its pathogenesis is not yet known. The most frequent treatment used for vitiligo is PUVA (psoralen plus ultraviolet A) and topical steroids but against stable refractory vitiligo, various other surgical techniques have been developed such as autografting, epidermal grafting with suction blisters, epithelial sheet grafting, and transplantation of cultured melanocytes. We have discovered a new method using ultrasonic abrasion, seed-grafting and PUVA therapy.

Effects of isopropyl unoprostone and latanoprost on melanogenesis in mouse epidermal melanocytes.

Purpose: The authors sought to investigate the cellular mechanism of melanogenesis by prostaglandin antiglaucomatous compounds, isopropyl unoprostone (referred to as unoprostone) and latanoprost, and to quantitatively compare their effect on melanogenesis using cultured mouse epidermal melanocytes.

Methods: M1, M2, and the acid of latanoprost, all of which are possible intraocular metabolites of unoprostone or latanoprost, were used. Tested prostaglandin-related compounds (final concentration range, 1 micromol/L-10 nmol/L) were administrated to the culture medium of purely cultured mouse melanoblasts, melan-A, once daily for 2 weeks.